Hoodoo, Sisters parks district collaborate on winter camps

Sisters Park & Recreation District (SPRD, formerly SOAR) has announced their Snow Sport Camp opportunities for the upcoming snow season.

A partnership between Sisters Park & Recreation District, Sisters School District and Hoodoo Mountain Resort has culminated in the best prices available for this season on the mountain.

Through the determination, expertise and talent of Sisters Middle School teacher Midge Rose, who has been pulling together snow sport camps for over 10 years for middle school students, the SPRD has been able to extend the programs by offering them to high schoolers as well as middle schoolers.

Each youth must register through the SPRD. Registration forms are available at their offices located at the community center across the parking lot at Sisters High School. Starting Wednesday, December 3, registration will be offered online when using a credit card. Payment must accompany registration.

The extension of the existing snow sport camp program began when SPRD Teen Programs Manager Anne Heath called Hoodoo Mountain Resort to see about a partnership regarding some form of a snow sport camp that high school students had been requesting.

Matthew McFarland, Hoodoo Mountain Resort General Manager, asked Heath to contact Rose regarding the existing program for Sisters Middle School students.

The two women met and it all worked out.

Transportation was a hurdle. Hoodoo had been providing transportation to and from the mountain for the existing snow sport camp program but it was putting a strain on Hoodoo to have their employees get buses to Sisters. SSD Transportation Supervisor, Angie Gardiner, was contacted and the details fell into place. The cost for transportation is included in the program registration fee.

A total of 52 spaces are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Since the buses that Hoodoo provided were always full, Heath recommends, "Get the brochure on the snow sport opportunities we offer, register now and do not delay if you want a seat!"

What has come of this community-wide collaboration is a distinct opportunity for our youth. According to the SPRD brochure, "Whether the student is a beginning skier or an experienced terrain park rider, there's an opportunity for the youth in Sisters to get to the mountain."

The Seven-Night Ski Package (January 9, 16, 23, 30, February 6, 13 and 30) departs SPRD at 4:30 p.m. and returns to SPRD at 9:30 p.m. Adult chaperones will be on the bus as well as on the mountain. Costs are: $220 for middle school students before December 15.

The program includes a lift pass, coaching, transportation and rentals. For middle school students with a season pass the cost is $150 for coaching (lessons) and transportation. Remaining seats will be sold as a seven-week independent snow sport package (lift pass and transportation) for high school students until January 2.

There are programs for before and after Christmas for both skiers and snowboarders. And new this year is "Tailgate Parties at Hoodoo," which will be held January 19 and February 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Students K-12th grade can register for the tailgate party program which will include a BBQ, music, activities,and transportation (K-5th register through the Kids in Motion Autobahn program at SPRD). January 29 is "No School Day" program up on the mountain and March 30-April 3 (spring break) there will be a Five-Day program similar to the Seven-Night program.

Contact SPRD at 549-2091 or visit http://www.sistersrecreation.com for more information. SPRD is located at 1750 W. McKinney Butte Rd .; office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.